TUCSON, Ariz. (Interstat) — McKinna Brackens scored 24 points, including six in overtime, to lead Arizona State to a 75-69 victory over rival Arizona in a women’s basketball game Saturday at McKale Center. The Sun Devils, who improved to 21-6, needed a late jumper from Brackens to force overtime at 61-61. Arizona State then dominated the extra period 14-8. Arizona’s Noelani Cornfield and Sumayah Sugapong each scored 24 points in the loss. The Wildcats fell to 11-14. Arizona State overcame 23 turnovers by holding Arizona to 3-of-19 shooting from 3-point range. The Sun Devils also won the rebounding battle 40-33, with Heloisa Carrera grabbing 11 boards.

TUCSON, Ariz. (Interstat) — In a rivalry game defined by grit over grace, McKinna Brackens delivered a career-defining performance to will Arizona State to a 75-69 overtime victory over Arizona in a women’s basketball showdown Saturday afternoon at McKale Center. The Sun Devils, who swept the season series from their in-state foes, overcame a staggering 23 turnovers and a late-game collapse in regulation by dominating the extra period behind Brackens, who finished with 24 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 40 minutes. The junior from Fairfield, Texas, scored six of her points in overtime and was instrumental in a decisive 14-8 run that sealed the win for the visitors. The game, a physical Big 12 conference battle played before a crowd of 8,766, was a testament to defensive pressure and offensive struggle. Both teams combined for 43 turnovers and shot under 40% from the field. Arizona State’s ability to capitalize on second chances and hit timely three-pointers proved the difference, offsetting Arizona’s advantage in points off turnovers and superior free-throw shooting. Arizona, led by the backcourt duo of Lani Cornfield and Sumayah Sugapong who each scored 24 points, controlled the paint and used a 12-2 advantage in steals to build several leads. The Wildcats seemed poised to avenge their January loss when they took a 61-59 lead with 43 seconds left in regulation after Cornfield sank two free throws. The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute of the fourth quarter. Trailing by two, Arizona State’s Gabby Elliott was fouled on a three-point attempt by Sugapong with 37 seconds remaining. Elliott, who finished with 22 points, calmly sank all three free throws to put the Sun Devils back ahead 62-61. Arizona had a chance to win it, but Cornfield’s driving layup missed, and a scramble for the rebound led to a held ball, granting possession to the Sun Devils with 6.6 seconds left. However, Arizona State’s ensuing inbounds pass was stolen by Arizona’s Nora Francois, giving the Wildcats one final shot. Cornfield’s three-pointer at the buzzer was off the mark, forcing overtime. The Sun Devils, who had squandered a nine-point lead earlier in the fourth quarter, seized immediate control in the extra session. Brackens opened the scoring with a jumper, and after a Sugapong layup for Arizona, Heloisa Carrera and Elliott connected on baskets to build a lead the Wildcats could not overcome. Arizona went scoreless for the final 2:34 of overtime, missing its last five field goal attempts as the Sun Devils closed the game on a 7-0 run. Carrera, a freshman from Sao Paulo, Brazil, was a force inside for Arizona State, posting a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Deborah Davenport added five points, seven rebounds and a crucial blocked shot in overtime. For Arizona, Tanyuel Welch provided 16 points and eight rebounds, but the Wildcats’ offense faltered badly from beyond the arc, making just 3 of 19 three-point attempts. Statistically, the game was a study in contrasts. Arizona State won despite a lower offensive rating (88.8 to Arizona’s 79.2) and more turnovers. They compensated by shooting a more efficient 45.8% from the field compared to Arizona’s 40.3%, hitting eight three-pointers to Arizona’s three, and grabbing seven offensive rebounds to Arizona’s three, leading to a 14-2 edge in second-chance points. The victory improved Arizona State’s record to 21-6 overall and marked its fourth win in five games. The Sun Devils have now won two straight against Arizona after their Jan. 28 victory in Tempe. Arizona fell to 11-14, suffering its third consecutive loss. Arizona State next travels to face Iowa State on Wednesday. Arizona will look to rebound at home against Colorado on Tuesday.

Arizona State, Arizona Set for Valentine’s Day Rematch in Tucson TUCSON, Ariz. (Interstat) — A surging Arizona State women’s basketball team looks to complete a regular-season sweep of rival Arizona when the Sun Devils visit the Wildcats on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at McKale Center. The Big 12 Conference matchup features teams on divergent paths. Arizona State (20-6) enters having won three of its last four, including a 71-61 victory over Utah on Wednesday. The Wildcats (11-13) seek to halt a two-game skid after a 77-61 loss at Cincinnati. The Sun Devils won the first meeting 68-61 in Tempe on Jan. 28, powered by 22 points from standout guard Gabby Elliott. Elliott has been exceptional, averaging 19.5 points over her last eight games, including a 25-point effort in a narrow loss at Baylor on Feb. 7. She will be the focal point for Arizona State’s offense. Arizona will counter with guard Sumayah Sugapong, who scored 20 points in the loss to Cincinnati. Her production has been variable, but she tallied 25 points in a loss to Oklahoma State on Feb. 1. Consistency from Sugapong will be crucial for the Wildcats to keep pace. The Sun Devils have relied on a balanced attack; against Utah, McKinna Brackens added 14 points and six assists while Heloisa Carrera scored 12. Arizona’s supporting cast, including Tanyuel Welch and Daniah Trammell, must provide scoring support to challenge Arizona State’s defense. Historically, this intrastate rivalry is heated, and the Wildcats will aim to defend their home court and salvage a split. Arizona State, however, brings superior record and momentum into Tucson, seeking a key conference road win to bolster its postseason resume. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. MST at McKale Center.